Today in Congress: House Dems Ready Push to End Partial Shutdown

Democratic lawmakers are readying attempts to end the partial government shutdown as the funding lapse enters its 19th day. In the House, members are set to vote on a series of individual government funding bills, starting with a vote today on the Financial Services and General Government bill that would fund the Treasury Department, Executive Office of the President (EOP), and an assortment of independent agencies. Despite increased House GOP support for Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) plan, it remains unlikely that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) will allow a vote on these spending bills absent support from President Trump, who reiterated his stance in a primetime address last night.

Meanwhile, Democratic Senators are blocking consideration of legislation in the upper chamber in protest over the partial government shutdown. Yesterday evening, Sens. Ben Cardin (D-MD), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Mark Warner (D-VA) orchestrated the effort to vote down a motion to proceed on a middle east policy bill (S.1) prior to President Trump’s address. Senate Democrats have signaled they are prepared to block future legislative items so long as parts of the federal government remain shuttered.